Although Ferguson could be hit with an improper conduct charge and fine, furious match officials are hoping Ferguson is given a stiffer punishment to act as a deterrant and prevent other managers disrespecting referees.

The national secretary of professionals' union Prospect, who represent referees, Ian Leighton said: "I don’t know what Sir Alex earns but a small fine or a touchline suspension would be like water off a duck’s back to him, so there has to be some recognition that this is a serious allegation that needs to be properly dealt with and punished severely.

"There are issues around suspension from the job that would be new territory, but the FA has to grab the nettle on this one. There has to be some sort of punishment that’s going to stop people from doing this or otherwise we’re going to see more and more of it.

"We have to be talking about punishments that are going to really lead to a change in behaviour."

One punishment which has been mooted is to bar Ferguson from any contact with his players on match days as well as preventing him enter the dressing room before and after the game - a Uefa-coaching ban.

Such a punishment was handed out to Jose Mourinho during his Chelsea days for both legs of their Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich in 2005.

Mourinho allegedly got round his ban by being smuggled into the dressing room in a laundry basket.

While the FA have never applied such a punishment, the governing body have not ruled out such action given Ferguson's outburst.

Ferguson said of Wiley: "It took him at least 30 seconds every time he booked a player and I think that was because he wanted to take a rest."